Bangchhari bridge work at Kaptai in limbo for 3 yrs

KAPTAI, RANGAMATI, Sept 9:  Construction of a permanent bridge at Bangchhari on the Chattogram-Kaptai road in Kaptai of Rangamati, has remained stalled for nearly three years due to piling-related complications.

As a result, hundreds of small and large vehicles continue to use a risky temporary Bailey bridge every day, raising concerns about accidents among passengers and drivers.

According to sources concerned, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) took up the project to build a new concrete bridge after the old culvert at Bangchhari became unsafe. A temporary Bailey bridge was built alongside the site to keep traffic moving during construction.

However, work on the main bridge has remained suspended for a long time due to complications with piling.

Kaptai is a major tourist destination, attracting large numbers of visitors from across the country every day. Local and long-distance buses, trucks, microbuses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and motorcycles also use the road regularly.

As a result, prolonged reliance on the Bailey bridge has increased both safety risks and public suffering.

Local CNG drivers Abu Bakkar and Gias Uddin, motorcyclist Paisu Marma and truck driver Jabbar said they had been hopeful when construction of the new concrete bridge began to replace the old risky structure.

They expected the work to be completed quickly, allowing vehicles to travel safely. However, their expectations have not been met as construction has remained suspended for about three years.

Drivers alleged that the condition of the route has not been properly maintained, resulting in several accidents while vehicles pass through the area.

Nur Hossain, President of the Chattogram District Bus-Minibus Owners Association, said vehicles have been forced to travel at risk because the permanent bridge has not been completed despite the passage of a long time.

“Completing the work quickly would significantly reduce the risk of accidents,” he said.

Mirza Nazim Uddin Khokon, President of the South Chattogram Truck Owners Association, said there had been no visible progress despite a long time passing since construction began.

“The prolonged suspension of work is increasing risks for vehicles and causing suffering to passengers and drivers,” he said.

The contractor, Messrs Irfan-ul-Karim, said work worth around Tk 1.56 crore had been completed so far. However, the project requires an extension of the work period due to the piling complications.

Md Anwar Hossain, who is responsible for supervising the construction, said he had not received his salary for several months.

He also said rods and other construction materials kept at the site were being damaged after remaining there for a long time.

The Kaptai upazila nirbahi officer said he would discuss the matter with the RHD.

RHD Chattogram Executive Engineer Maidul Islam said the work had been temporarily suspended due to technical problems.
“The construction work will resume soon,” he said.

Locals hope that resolving the piling complications and completing the bridge soon will reduce dependence on the risky Bailey bridge. They said this would ensure safer and smoother traffic on the Kaptai-Chattogram road while benefiting tourism, trade and the livelihoods of local people.